Cerium‐Based Binary and Ternary Oxides in the Transesterification of Dimethylcarbonate with Phenol

Diphenyl carbonate (DPC) plays a key role in phosgene‐free carbonylation processes. It can be produced by transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with phenol in the presence of catalysts. Methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) is first produced that is then converted into DPC by either disproportionation or further transesterification with phenol. Cerium‐based bimetallic oxides (with the heterometal being niobium, iron, palladium, or aluminum) are used as catalysts in the transesterification of DMC to synthesize MPC. The catalytic activity is affected by the type and concentration of the heterometal. XPS, IR and elementary analyses are employed to characterize the new catalysts. Differently from pure oxides, the mixed oxides produce a significant increase of the conversion and selectivity towards MPC.

Enhancing Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Performances by Molecular Engineering: Highly Efficient π‐Extended Organic Sensitizers

This study deals with the synthesis and characterization of two π‐extended organic sensitizers ( G1 and G2 ) for applications in dye‐sensitized solar cells. The materials are designed with a D–A–π–A structure constituted by i) a triarylamine group as the donor part, ii) a dithienyl‐benzothiadiazole chromophore followed by iii) a further ethynylene‐thiophene ( G1 ) or ethynylene‐benzene ( G2 ) π‐spacer and iv) a cyano‐acrylic moiety as acceptor and anchoring part. An unusual structural extension of the π‐bridge characterizes these structures. The so‐configured sensitizers exhibit a broad absorption profile, the origin of which is supported by density functional theory. The absence of hypsochromic shifts as a consequence of deprotonation as well as notable optical and electrochemical stabilities are also observed. Concerning the performances in devices, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the structural modification of the π‐spacer mainly increases the electron lifetime of G2 with respect to G1 . In devices, this feature translates into a superior power conversion efficiency of G2 , reaching 8.1 %. These results are comparable to those recorded for N719 and are higher with respect to literature congeners, supporting further structural engineering of the π‐bridge extension in the search for better performing π‐extended organic sensitizers.

Case study interpretation—Fort Lauderdale: Case 2

Improving PCA‐based anomaly detection by using multiple time scale analysis and Kullback–Leibler divergence

SUMMARY The increasing number of network attacks causes growing problems for network operators and users. Thus, detecting anomalous traffic is of primary interest in IP networks management. In this paper, we address the problem considering a method based on PCA for detecting network anomalies. In more detail, this paper presents a new technique that extends the state of the art in PCA‐based anomaly detection. Indeed, by means of multi‐scale analysis and Kullback–Leibler divergence, we are able to obtain great improvements with respect to the performance of the ‘classical’ approach. Moreover, we also introduce a method for identifying the flows responsible for an anomaly detected at the aggregated level. The performance analysis, presented in this paper, demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A single institution experience with the new bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology: Correlation with existing cytologic, clinical, and histological data

Our goal was to evaluate the Bethesda system (TBS) in comparison to the previously used system at our institution. One hundred consecutive thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) and 45 consecutive indeterminate FNAs were reviewed by two cytopathology‐boarded pathologists, diagnosed based on TBS and correlated with management and follow‐up. Re‐evaluation led to a diagnosis change in 48% of cases. Thirty‐nine percent of benign cases were unsatisfactory under TBS. For malignant diagnoses the positive predictive value (PPV) was unchanged, while the negative predictive value (NPV) was slightly improved using TBS. Both the PPV and NPV were improved for actionable diagnoses. Inter‐observer variability across all categories was in moderate agreement. Clinical management of both follicular lesion (FL) and indeterminate cases ranged from none to immediate surgery. Repeat FNA resolved the diagnosis in 50% of indeterminate cases. Indeterminate cases had an overall malignancy rate of 27%; higher in pre‐ (46%) than post‐TBS cases (8%). Inter‐observer variability between the reviewing pathologists and the original pathologists for indeterminate cases was fair, and between the two reviewing pathologists was moderate. Using TBS criteria increased the unsatisfactory rate and led to improved prediction of malignancy and actionable diagnoses. The pre‐Bethesda diagnosis of FL at our institution led to inconsistent clinical management. Clinical management of patients with indeterminate diagnoses was essentially unchanged following adoption of TBS. The moderate inter‐observer agreement between the reviewing pathologists may be related to level of cytology experience, strict adherence to TBS, and the exclusive use of cytomorphology for diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:564–569. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lipid Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with Anti‐Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Drugs Changes According to Disease Activity and Predicts Clinical Response

Postmarketing Phase IVPatients with active rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) frequently show an atherogenic lipid profile, which has been linked with the inflammatory reaction. Inflammatory cytokines, and particularly tumor necrosis factor‐alpha ( TNF ‐α), are implicated in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerosis and RA , and also involved in the development of the impaired lipid profile detected in active RA . Although anti‐ TNF ‐α agents have been proven effective in controlling joint damage and systemic inflammation, controversy remains about the effect of these drugs on the lipid profile; therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of anti‐ TNF ‐α treatment, in combination with disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs ( DMARDs ) and corticosteroid therapy, on the lipid profile of patients with active RA . Our data suggest that the combination anti‐ TNF ‐α/ DMARDs /steroids do not significantly interfere with the lipid profile of RA patients. However, analysis of clinical response data showed that patients achieving low disease activity or remission seem to have a protective lipid profile, suggesting that better control of inflammation and disease activity can affect lipid metabolism. The available evidence indicates that high inflammation interferes with lipid metabolism, whereas good control of the chronic inflammatory state may positively influence the lipid profile and cardiovascular risk. Low cholesterol levels at baseline could predict a favorable outcome with anti‐ TNF ‐α treatment, but these data need to be confirmed by large prospective studies with long‐term follow‐up.

Effectiveness of topical anesthetics on reducing tactile sensitivity in the paws of newborn rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three local, topical anesthetics on touch response thresholds of the paws of 1‐day‐old rats. Touch response thresholds were measured using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments after treatment of the paws with EMLA (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine), alcaine (.5% proparacaine), triocaine (20% benzocaine, 6% lidocaine, and 4% tetracaine), or petroleum jelly (treatment control). Touch thresholds significantly increased after treatment with EMLA 18% of the time, and there was no evidence of a systemic effect. Touch thresholds were not significantly altered after treatment with alcaine, triocaine, or petroleum jelly. Therefore, EMLA appears to be a slightly effective topical anesthetic for reducing tactile sensitivity in newborn rats. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 126–132, 2014.

Differences in amygdala cell proliferation between adolescent and young adult rats

Adolescence is characterized by changes in both behavior and neural organization. During this period, the amygdala, a structure that mediates social and emotional behaviors, is changing in terms of neural and glia density. We examined cell proliferation within the amygdala of adolescent (post natal day (PND) 31) and adult (PND 70) male Sprague–Dawley rats using BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) to label dividing cells. BrdU‐labeled cells were distributed throughout the amygdala, often found in fibers surrounding major nuclei. Using two independent cell counting strategies under light and confocal microcopy, respectively, we found significantly more labeled cells in the amygdala in adolescent compared to adult animals (239.3 ± 87.18 vs. 44.75 ± 13.68; n = 4/group; p < .05). BrdU/doublecortin (DCX) positive cells constitute approximately 30% of all dividing cells in the amygdala in both adolescents and adults. These data suggest that compared to young adulthood, adolescence is a relatively active period of cell proliferation in the amygdala. Moreover, the normal decline in dividing cells with age does not preferentially affect cells co‐containing DCX‐immunoreactivity . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 56: 517–528, 2014.

Associations between inhibitory control, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and externalizing problems in early childhood

Polyvagal theory provides a framework for understanding connections between children's autonomic regulation, cognitive functioning, and behavioral adjustment. Parasympathetic regulation has been associated with executive functions and externalizing problems (EP), and children with EP demonstrate deficits in inhibition of prepotent responding, or inhibitory control (IC). We examined parasympathetic regulation of cardiac reactivity during two IC tasks in 144 children ( M  = 5.61 years, SD  = 1.09) ranging from low to clinical levels of EP. Overall children with more EP evidenced greater RSA suppression during IC tasks than did children with fewer EP, and degree of RSA suppression also moderated associations between IC performance and EP. Only for children who showed stronger RSA suppression was accuracy of IC response inversely associated with EP, and latency of response for one task positively associated with EP. This study provides insight into the role of parasympathetic mechanisms in children's cognitive regulation of impulsive and aggressive behaviors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 56: 686–699, 2014.

Sensorimotor training during expression of the leg extension response (LER) in 1‐day‐old rats

In newborn rats, the leg extension response (LER) is a coordinated hyperextension of the hindlimbs that is shown in response to anogenital stimulation. Here we examined the influence of sensorimotor training on LER expression in postnatal day 1 rats. In Experiment 1, we examined if proprioceptive feedback facilitates LER expression. We did this by repeatedly stimulating the pup's anogenital region with a vibrotactile device, to experimentally evoke the LER, thus increasing LER‐relevant hindlimb proprioceptive feedback during training. In trained subjects, the LER was evoked every 4 min for 15 trials, followed by a final LER test. Results indicated that proprioceptive feedback on its own did not alter later expression of the LER. In Experiment 2, we examined the effect of both proprioceptive and cutaneous feedback on LER expression, through the use of a range of motion (ROM) restriction during training. During ROM restriction, a Plexiglas plate was placed beneath the pup at 50% of limb length. After the 15th training trial, a final LER test occurred with no ROM restriction in place. Compared to controls, pups that experienced ROM restriction exhibited a significantly shorter LER duration, and smaller hip and ankle angles during the LER test (indicating greater limb flexion). Together these findings show that concurrent proprioceptive and cutaneous feedback, but not proprioceptive feedback alone, has persistent effects on expression of this newborn action pattern. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 56: 1553–1563, 2014.